EPA Recognizes Duquesne as Top Green Power Purchaser in Atlantic 10 Conference

April 28, 2008

Duquesne University announced today that it was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as the 2007-2008 Individual Conference Champion for purchasing more green power than any other school in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The EPA has been tracking green power purchasing among collegiate athletic conferences through its College & University Green Power Challenge, which concluded today with 40 schools and 18 conferences participating nationwide.

As an Individual Conference Champion, Duquesne University beat its conference rivals by purchasing nearly 13 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, representing 28 percent of the school’s annual purchased electricity use. Duquesne University is purchasing renewable energy credits from Community Energy and Strategic Energy, which helps to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the campus’ purchased electricity use.

The EPA estimates that Duquesne University’s purchase of nearly 13 million kWh of green power is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power nearly 1,000 average American homes each year. This purchase will have the impact of reducing the equivalent amount of carbon dioxide emissions from more than 2,000 passenger cars annually.

“One way for Duquesne to demonstrate attentiveness to global affairs is through responsible stewardship of natural resources,” said Dr. Charles J. Dougherty, president of Duquesne University. “Duquesne’s efforts to improve the environmental quality of its operation began decades ago, and we continue these efforts by making strategic decisions for the good of our campus, the good of our community and the good of our global neighbors. We are proud to be recognized for our commitment toward a more sustainable campus.”

"EPA applauds this year's College & University Green Power Conference Champions for their leadership in green power purchasing," said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "By switching to green power sources, Duquesne University is proving that doing what's good for the environment is also good for education."

Green power is generated from renewable resources such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. Green power is considered cleaner than conventional sources of electricity and has lower carbon dioxide emissions, a greenhouse gas linked to global climate change. Purchases of green power help accelerate the development of new, renewable energy capacity nationwide

The EPA will extend the College & University Green Power Challenge for a third year, to conclude in spring of 2009. EPA’s Green Power Challenge is open to all U.S. colleges, universities, and conferences. In order to qualify, a collegiate athletic conference must include at least one school that qualifies as a Green Power Partner, and the conference must collectively meet EPA’s minimum conference purchase requirement.

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and tradition of academic excellence. Duquesne, a campus of nearly 9,500 graduate and undergraduate students, has been nationally recognized for its academic programs, community service and commitment to sustainability. Follow Duquesne University on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.www.duq.edu